role of internet exchange points (ixp)

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Internet Society

Role of Internet Exchange Points (IXP)2nd Central Asia Internet Symposium – 2 March 2016, Dushanbe

Maarit Palovirta (palovirta@isoc.org)

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Role of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)

A primary role of an IXP is to:

•Keep local Internet traffic within local infrastructure and to reduce costs associated with traffic exchange between networks.

•Improve the quality of Internet services and drive demand by reducing delay and improving end-user experience.

•Create a favorable environment for local Internet infrastructure and service development e.g. local content and shared services.

•Act as a catalyst for overall Internet development through knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) are now well recognised as a vital part of the Internet ecosystem and

essential for facilitating a robust domestic ICT sector*.

* See for example, the OECD’s recent report on Internet Traffic Exchange:http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/internet-trafficexchange_5k918gpt130q-en

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IXPs around the World

Source: TeleGeography World IX Map, http://www.internetexchangemap.com/

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IXP and Local Internet Eco-system

ISP 4

ISP 1 ISP 2

IXP evolution

No IXP IXP ‘spoke’ IXP ‘hub’

IXP

ISP 3

IXP

Content provider

International

ISP 4

ISP 1 ISP 2

Country A

ISP 3

IXP

Content provider

International

ISP 4

ISP 2

ISP 1

IXP

ISP 3

IXP

International

Content provider

Country A Country A

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Local Internet Eco-system and IXP

Source: Internet Society 2015

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Geography of Top Level Domain Names

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Language is a significant issue, and English remains over-represented

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ISOC: IXP & Interconnection Activities

•ISOC works with partners throughout the world to build IXPs, human capacity, and bottom-up governance of IXPs.

•With partners: Euro-IX, RIRs (RIPE-NCC, AfriNIC, APNIC, LACNIC), IXPs, Cisco,

Comcast, Google, Alcatel, Microsoft, NSRC, PCH, and other global and regional experts

•Through Grants: IXP Toolkit Grant from Google Alcatel and Cisco donations & equipment grants Comcast and Microsoft grants for IXP development and training

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ISOC: 2014-15 Highlights

• Create an IXP Portal: Access to information & experts |

www.ixptoolkit.org Released 25 February 2014 | Rebooting

2ndQ2015 IXP Videos

• Create an IXP Toolkit: A study and Methodology to Identify Best

Practices | www.internetsociety.org/ixptoolkitguide/

Released 25 February 2014 | Rebooting 2ndQ2015

2014 by Numbers:-10 new IXPs with ISOC involvement

-18 IXPs “leveled up” with ISOC involvement

-34 IXP workshops organised by ISOC

• ISOC awarded a grant by Google to extend its Internet exchange point (IXP) activities in emerging markets. 

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Kyrgyz Republic: IXP Work (2015)•IXP roundtable: Business level introduction of IXPs to government, network operators and technical experts.

•ISOC study on Kyrgyz Internet Environment: Specific recommendations for next steps to the Kyrgyz Telecommunication Operators Association (who runs IXP)

•BGP training: Technical training on peering/ BGP to engineers from local ISPs.

•Next steps: Visit to a European IXP and further technical training (tbc!)

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Georgia: IXP Workshop (2014)

- Workshop partners: GNCC, RIPE NCC and EUR-IX.

- Attendees: Main telecoms operators, ISPs, data center providers, GRENA.

- Summary of issues raised: IXP and competition in telecoms

market; Private peering vs. public peering; IXP neutrality: who and where; Value add of IXPs; Role of government in IXP

development.

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Thank You!

palovirta@isoc.org

@European Regional Bureau

www.internetsociety.org

For any questions, please contact me at: palovirta@isoc.org